What we treat-text version

HEADACHE Many headaches stem from problems in the neck either from trauma (such as car accidents) or from wear and tear. Postural re-education and 'mobilising' the small joints in the neck is often successful at abolishing such headaches.

POST-OP REHABILITATION Post operative rehabilitation should start as soon as you return home from hospital.

"CLUNKING" JAW Clunking Jaw - Actually called Temperomandibular Joint Disorder! The small joint where the jaw meets the skull 'clicks' and gets sore with movement - sometimes associated with grinding teeth whilst asleep.

"CATCHING" PAIN The shoulder has a little joint at the top called the Acromioclavicular joint. This can catch with movement giving a sharp pain on top of the shoulder - usually an easy one to treat.

FROZEN SHOULDER A painful shoulder with loss of movement followed by a very stiff shoulder - can be traumatic or can happen for no apparent reason - some cases respond very quickly - others need ongoing management.

CHEST PAIN Often makes people quite anxious but usually quite harmless. Can come from problems with the breastbone (sternum) or can transfer through from the spine.

GOLFER'S ELBOW You don't have to be a golfer! This pain is centered on the inside of the elbow especially associated with gripping - a whole range of treatments are effective.

CARPAL TUNNEL PAIN Pain and pins and needles in the wrist and into the hand and fingers can be really distressing but often responds to physiotherapy especially if caught early.

OSTEOARTHRITIS Wear and tear arthritis. Don't let anyone tell you nothing can be done - often it responds well to physiotherapy approaches and a food supplement called Glucosamine Sulphate.

GROIN STRAIN This one is a footballer's speciality though we have seen it in dancers and even waterskiers! Can be a true muscle tear or instability in the pelvis. Needs a competent assessment and treatment if it is going to settle properly.

LIGAMENT PAIN Ligaments tie the bones together and are usually injured through trauma (such as a football tackle). Ligaments don't always heal easily and often benefit from a bit of help eg ultrasound treatment.

ACHING KNEES So often people put up with aching knees thinking there is nothing that can be done. If it is osteoarthritis we can help (see osteoarthritis above). Often it is pain from behind the kneecap where the cartilage has become irritated and inflamed - we love treating these!

SHIN SPLINTS Actually just means pain at the front of the leg between the knee and the ankle. Can be a variety of causes - we often find the feet need looking at as they are the real cause of the pain, especially in runners.

SPRAINED ANKLES - A ligament injury (see ligaments above). They say a sprain is worse than a break because pain and stiffness can be so persistent. We can help get you back to normal and show you how to reduce the chances of it happening again.

ARCH COLLAPSE Also called flat foot or over-pronation. Associated with running and weight-bearing activities. Usually very treatable.

BUNION PAIN Does your big toe bend out? Do you have pain when you put weight through it? Don't despair - sometimes associated with arch collapse (see above). We can show you what to do!

WHIPLASH Car accidents are often associated with neck pain radiating out to the shoulders, headaches and even low back pain - appropriate treatment can really help with this problem.

NECK / SHOULDER PAIN You can wake up with this one morning or it can slowly develop over some time. Often associated with loss of movement to one side and quite scary pain. Not a problem, the sooner we can see you the sooner you will recover.

THORACIC PAIN A fancy word for mid-back pain. Can be a sharp catching pain sometimes associated with deep breaths. Nasty pain but nothing to worry about - quite treatable normally.

DISC PROBLEMS 80% of the adult population get low back pain at some point and many of them will have small bulges in their discs in the spine. Not as worrying as it sounds, usually responds well to a simple set of exercises.

TENNIS ELBOW You don't have to play tennis to get this pain on the outside of the elbow. Can be associated with neck problems on the same side or can come from overloads with DIY, racquet sports or carrying heavy loads.

LUMBAGO A bit of a vague term meaning low back / buttock pain. Can be treated successfully, sometime advice and reassurance is all that is needed. We can often help you to reduce its frequency.

RSI - REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY Covers a multitude of sins. Treatment has to be undertaken in the context of changing your working or leisure environment and posture. Don't just sit and suffer.

HAMSTRING TEARS Can be a real muscle tear anywhere from the sitting bones of the pelvis to the back of the knee or can be a nerve pain and not a tear at all.

SCIATIC PAIN Can be a nasty deep ache down the leg from the buttocks to the toes or anywhere in between.

WEAR AND TEAR (See Osteoarthritis) Most common in weight bearing joints (knees, hips) but can happen elsewhere.

LOCKING KNEE You'll know if you have this one. Knee clunks or clicks and tends to lock in position so you can't straighten it. Usually caused by a cartilage or meniscus in the knee that gets trapped.

CALF TEARS Usually traumatic with pain going onto tip toes or even just walking. Muscle tears like this normally mend well with a little bit of help.

PREGNANCY RELATED BACK PAIN – Around 75% of all pregnant women will experience back pain.  This is caused by changing posture and hormonal changes that make the ligaments looser. Physiotherapy is a safe solution to your pain.  

PILATES BASED PHYSI0 – We use traditional Pilates techniques combined with evidence based practice (contemporary scientific research and knowledge).  It increases the stability of the back and the pelvis which helps back pain.

ACHILLES TENDONITIS Soreness just above the back of the heel. The strongest tendon in the body attaches here and can become irritated and inflamed. A good treatment routine will abolish the pain and more importantly - stop it coming back!

HEEL PAIN
Can be excruciating especially first thing in the morning. A sharp pain deep in the bottom of the heel bone. Lots of causes, lots of treatments. Even a simple thing like a shock-absorbing heel cushion can help so much.

ORTHOTICS/BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENTS A detailed analysis of ankle and foot biomechanics enables us to identify any dysfunctions (eg shin splints, knee pain, hip/low back pain etc.) which can be corrected by the use of orthotics in your footwear.

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